In 1868 Céspedes proclaimed Cuba's independence for the first time in front of the columned Ayuntamiento.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Parque Céspedes
0.02 MILES
One of Cuba's leafiest squares, Bayamo's central meeting point is surrounded by pedestrian-only streets, making it a rare and peaceful spot. In addition…
Santo Domingo
28.17 MILES
This tiny village nestles in a deep green valley beside the deliciously clean Río Yara. Communally it provides a wonderful slice of peaceful Cuban…
Casa Natal de Carlos Manuel de Céspedes
0.05 MILES
Birthplace of the 'father of the motherland,' this museum is where Céspedes was born (on April 18, 1819) and spent his first 12 years. Inside, Céspedes…
Jardín Botánico de Cupaynicu
8.1 MILES
For a floral appreciation of Bayamo's evergreen hinterland, head to this botanic garden about 16km outside the city off the Guisa road. It's on very few…
Fabrica de los Coches
0.89 MILES
It's worth the jaunt to observe the goings-on at Cuba's only handcrafted coche (horse cart) production line. Most horse carts you'll see in Cuba are metal…
Alto del Naranjo
29.35 MILES
All trips into the park begin at the end of the near-vertical, corrugated-concrete access road at Alto del Naranjo (after Villa Santo Domingo the road…
Paseo Bayamés
0.08 MILES
Bayamo's main shopping street was pedestrianized in the 1990s and reconfigured with benches and funky artwork. At its southern end you'll find wax museum…
Museo de Cera
0.34 MILES
The tiny Museo de Cera, Bayamo’s diminutive version of Madame Tussauds, has convincing waxworks of Cuban personalities such as Polo Montañez, Benny Moré…
Nearby Bayamo attractions
1. Parque Céspedes
0.02 MILES
One of Cuba's leafiest squares, Bayamo's central meeting point is surrounded by pedestrian-only streets, making it a rare and peaceful spot. In addition…
2. Casa Natal de Carlos Manuel de Céspedes
0.05 MILES
Birthplace of the 'father of the motherland,' this museum is where Céspedes was born (on April 18, 1819) and spent his first 12 years. Inside, Céspedes…
3. Museo Provincial
0.05 MILES
Directly next door to Céspedes' ex-home, this provincial museum completes Bayamo's historical trajectory with a yellowing city document dating from 1567…
4. Paseo Bayamés
0.08 MILES
Bayamo's main shopping street was pedestrianized in the 1990s and reconfigured with benches and funky artwork. At its southern end you'll find wax museum…
5. Catedral de San Salvador de Bayamo
0.09 MILES
There's been a church on this site since 1514. The current edifice dates from 1740 but was devastated in the 1869 fire, so much of what you see results…
6. Capilla de la Dolorosa
0.09 MILES
This is the one original section of Bayamo's main church to survive the 1869 fire. It sports a gilded wooden altar.
7. Ventana de Luz Vázquez
0.18 MILES
A forerunner of the national anthem, cowritten by Céspedes (and, confusingly, also called 'La Bayamesa') was first sung from here on March 27, 1851. A…
8. Casa de Estrada Palma
0.2 MILES
Cuba's first post-independence president, Tomás Estrada Palma, was born here in 1835. One-time friend of José Martí, Estrada Palma was disgraced post…